The two fought for the same seat in 2017. Stephens, then a 5th JDC judge, won with 52 percent of the vote. That election was for the open position created by the retirement of the late Second Circuit Judge Larry Lolley.

On Tuesday night, Stephens said the win was "such a relief." He said he'd received support from all across the district and he could not be prouder. He thanked his supporters who stood by him through the campaign and said he hopes to continue to serve the people of northeastern Louisiana to the best of his ability.

This division of the Second Circuit includes all of Franklin and Richland parishes, and part of Ouachita, Morehouse and West Carroll parishes. Nine judges sit on the appellate court and review cases from 20 parishes across the northern part of the state.

Stephens’ office is in the Vantage Building in Monroe. He routinely travels to the Second Circuit Court in Shreveport to hear oral arguments presented to the court and to attend to other matters.

Stephens said being able to win in four out of five of the parishes, including Ouachita, was beyond his wildest expectations.